A New Approach to Clothes Shopping
Just a heads up, these photos were taken for a different blog post that I then decided that I didn’t want to write, so I’m using them for this one instead, that I very much do want to write, even though they have no relevance whatsoever to the subject matter!
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about ways of shopping sustainably that aren’t:
Never buying clothes ever again
Exclusively buying clothes from sustainable fashion brands
Only shopping second hand
Each of these, especially the first one, feels too restrictive to me at the moment and when I try and put any of these methods into place, they are never successful. The truth is, I love shopping; I love clothes and I love getting dressed and new clothes do provide me with a lot of satisfaction, inspiration and genuine happiness.
Maybe this is materialistic- in fact, I’m sure it is. But having been brought up in a material world, as Madonna put it 15 years before I was born, it’s difficult and I would say impossible to just snap out of it, especially if, like me, fashion is the thing, or one of the things, you’re most interested in, and if, like me, it helps you to form your identity and is the source of a lot of your self-confidence.
So I’m trying to let go of any methods or mindsets that are completely abstinent in their approach, not because they’re not necessary, they completely are, but because, for me, they don’t work and I am desperate to find a sustainable way of approaching shopping for fashion that really works.
But although sustainability and the fact that our planet is in imminent danger is at the driving force of my new approach to shopping, it’s not the only reason for it. Having begun to clear out my wardrobe quarterly, I’ve noticed how many pieces in my wardrobe have been worn only a few times. I know a lot of people struggle with buying things for a particular events and only wearing them once but personally, I don’t find that this happens to me. My issue is the impulse purchase; the “oh it’s only £8 in the sale and I like it, why not?”
Well, why not is because this type of purchase is always the one that I’m getting rid of when I’m clearing out my wardrobe. These bargain pieces are the ones that fill up my wardrobe and make me feel like I’ve got nothing to wear, because all of the pieces in my wardrobe that I truly love are buried by these items of clothing that I feel more or less indifferent towards, after the gratification of finding such a bargain, that usually wears off within a few weeks.
Not only this, but these types of purchases are the ones that encourage fast fashion retailers to keep making cheap, disposable clothes that they can sell and make for cheap prices, in bulk and in the least sustainable, and most cost-effective way.
So, I’ve decided rather than having a wardrobe full of A LOT of clothes that I like, I want to have a wardrobe full of a selection of clothes that I love. Not a capsule wardrobe by any means (my bulging wardrobe doors will tell you that), but I am definitely taking some tips from the philosophy of the capsule wardrobe, the main one being that quality is better than quantity.
And I have decided that, for me, there is no real way to tell if I truly love a piece of clothing other than the price. I am never going to spend £80 on something (and that is A LOT of money for me on a student budget) unless I love it and know I will get lots of wear out of. And so, despite my limited funds this is the way in which I want to shop.
My plan is to buy one or two expensive pieces per month, ideally from sustainable brands but I am not going to feel endlessly bad about it if they do end up being from high-street brands or non-sustainable brands, because I know they will be sustainable purchases in that I will wear them for a long time and look after them well.
But because of my aforementioned shopping addiction, one or two pieces just aren’t going to cut it for me. I’d love to tell myself that they will, but realistically, if I set myself this target, I’ll only end up in and amongst the Topshop sale racks on my way home from uni buying those very pieces that never stand the test of time in my wardrobe. Getting dressed in the morning is often my favourite part of the day and I know I will feel the urge to buy more if I don’t have new pieces in my wardrobe to style, it’s not a sustainable mindset but it’s not something I can change overnight either, so I’m trying to find sustainable methods to deal with it.
The method I’m currently trying is that, along with my one or two expensive pieces a month, I’m also allowing myself to do as much second hand shopping as I want, and trying to visit charity shops at least weekly. If I slip and buy one or two high-street pieces a month at a lower price point, again, I’m not going to punish myself. One or two is better than four or five and I hope that, with time, I will stop buying from fast-fashion retailers altogether!
But, in reality, I’m not going to be able to afford many new clothes anyway after my investment pieces (I’m thinking of spending either around £80-120 on one item or £50-£60 on two items), so hopefully that will mean I have no choice but to abandon the high street and head to the charity shops.
So far this month, I’ve bought a dress in the & Other Stories sale for £26.55, obviously not a great start but it was a classic piece and I would like to think that I would have bought it at full price if I had the money to do so, and that it will last a long time in my wardrobe because of its timelessness. I have also spent £50 at Uniqlo on a jumper and a skirt (£25 each) but, again, both are great quality, classic pieces that I really don’t think I will grow tired of. Finally I bought a vintage playsuit that cost £19, which is in line with my new approach because it’s second hand.
So, clearly things aren’t going completely to plan yet, although Uniqlo and Stories are definitely better than lots of other fast fashion brands because they produce less clothing, but nevertheless, their sustainability credentials just aren’t good enough. I’m struggling with my investment pieces because I find it difficult to know when it’s the one I should be buying and I so I put the purchase of in case I see something I like more, but then this leads me to the high-street because I need to fulfil that space in my wardrobe (or the shopping urge) elsewhere. So maybe I should just be going with my gut instinct with investment purchases- any tips on this are welcome!
Anyway, I hope I can keep you updated on how this new approach to fashion goes, but so far this month (and during August) I’ve definitely bought less new clothes than I normally would, so my mindset must be changing, now my purchases just need to follow!
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Why I Feel Confident in Unflattering Clothes
People often talk about clothes being flattering as if that’s the only thing that should be considered, “Does this colour suit me?” “This dress is hugging me in the wrong places.” A large number of people, I assume, would feel that if something made you look bigger where you wanted to look small, or smaller where you wanted to look big, or short where you wanted to look tall (vice versa and so on), then you shouldn’t buy it. As women, we are handed ever-changing images of how we’re supposed to look and in many ways, they dictate how we not only dress but live our lives, the way we eat, exercise, sit, do our makeup, and so much more.
Up until recent years, I’ve subscribed to the philosophy that clothes should be flattering and much of my wardrobe was dictated by what made me look skinnier. But the emergence of straight-leg jeans and oversized jumpers (to name two ‘unflattering’ trends) into popular culture and my increasing interest and awareness of fashion, trends and the clothes that I’m wearing has really allowed me to let go of that way of thinking.
I hadn’t really consciously realised that this was the case. I mean, yes, I have become aware that my Saturday nights are usually spent in jeans (or pyjamas, let’s be honest) rather than body-con dresses but I’ve put that down to lifestyle change, rather than a change in how I think about what I’m wearing. It was the skirt that I’m wearing in this photo that made me come to the conscious realisation that I feel great in ‘unflattering’ clothing and that most of my wardrobe is, in fact, made up of it, by the standards of popular culture.
This beauty of a skirt immediately stood out to me on the hanger; I’ve been looking to incorporate some pastel-coloured checks into my wardrobe for the season and this skirt ticked all of my boxes. However, when I tried it on I felt immediately conflicted about it. I was sure I had to have it but felt conflicted about wearing it. I put this down to the print, the shape and the unique nature of the skirt, making it a piece that is out of my comfort zone in these ways. However when I got home and my mum told me that it didn’t fit me properly around my waist, I realised that the reason I wasn’t sold on it was because it’s not a flattering item of clothing.
I ordered the size up because I was now certain that this skirt needed to be a part of my life and the medium does fit me better, but it’s still not a flattering piece. But I now don’t feel skeptical about wearing it at all. I love everything about the skirt and I can think of endless ways to style it. And it is what I’m wearing that really makes me feel confident, as I’ve written about before. I’ve realised over time that it isn’t looking slim or having clear skin or anything else that makes me feel good about myself, it’s the clothes on my body. So it doesn’t really matter to me anymore if my clothes make me look skinnier or more tanned, or anything else like that, it’s only important that I truly love the clothes I’m wearing and that they represent what I want my personal style to be.
Don’t get me wrong, sometimes I definitely do consider if an item is flattering, if that’s the look I’m going for, but even outfits I wear that I consider to be sexy aren’t necessarily flattering in the way that popular culture prescribes. I think this defiance against these rules of dressing also allows me a certain confidence. To know that I am able to disregard these rules and go with my gut when it comes to what I wear is empowering and I think getting dressed is the part of my life in which I feel most secure and sure of myself in.
Anyway, let’s talk a little bit about this outfit. It all started with the skirt, as is probably obvious at this point, and I was very excited to coordinate some of the other pieces in this outfit with the colours in the skirt. Made up of mauve like pinks, navy blue and mustard, some of my favourite colours of the season are incorporated into this picnic blanket dream of a skirt, a trend I am loving for spring. I found this jumper at the back of my wardrobe and was very pleased to find it almost perfectly matches this skirt, as do these trainers which I don’t wear very much for the rest of the year, but always feel compelled to wear them during the springtime. Finally, this bag, which I think this is going to be a really nice addition to my wardrobe for spring/summer, as it has the feel of a woven bag but without their usual structure, and is a really nice size for everyday.
Worn in front of these dreamy pastel houses, in which it’s my dream to live in one day, I love this outfit and, for me, it feels like everything spring dressing should be. Although, it could be improved, in that regard, if the knit wasn’t necessary, but as long as I can get my legs out, I’m not complaining!
I’d love to hear your thoughts on how you feel about wearing ‘flattering’ clothes in the comments! And please do note that I use the term ‘flattering’ by the standards of what popular culture dictates as such, because obviously flattering is what you make it to be, and for me, what flattering clothes really are those that compliment my personal style and who I am, rather than my figure.
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Being More Sustainable Over the Holiday Period | 6th Day of Christmas
Photography by Jenny Gavan
Christmas really is one of my favourite times of the years, mostly because it involves spending lots of time with family and eating more food than is socially acceptable. However, despite it being mine and many others’ favourite time of the year, it’s not a very good time of the year for the environment, due to the wastefulness and excess of the holidays generally. So, along with all my other typically festive posts, I thought I’d include one that can have some sort of positive impact on the environment, providing you with some simple tips on how to have yourself a more environmentally friendly Christmas (not quite as catchy as Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas but I tried!)
But first, here’s some facts on how the month of December affects our environment:
27,000 miles of wrapping paper is used each year in the UK alone.
Only 1% of consumer goods are still in use 6 months later.
The equivalent of 2 million turkeys end up in the bin every year.
1 in 10 unwanted Christmas gifts end up in landfill
(facts taken from https://www.asustainablelife.co.uk/12-not-so-fun-festive-facts/)
Now I don’t always like sharing facts like these because often guilt-tripping can scare people off. But I think it takes reading these types of statistics to actually make some changes, even if they’re only small! I’m not suggesting that you shouldn’t buy any Christmas presents or that you should carefully measure out all of the food you buy to ensure none of it goes to waste (although if you want to, great, go for it!) The amount of people who are willing to make changes like this is minimal, but if everyone could make just a few changes to the way they do Christmas, think of the positive effects this could have on our environment!
So, with that, here are my top 5 tips t be more sustainable this Christmas! They’re not groundbreaking but they’re easily doable so do try at least one of them…
1.Use 100% Recyclable Wrapping Paper & Switch Out Sellotape for Washi Tape
As shown from the previous statistics, wrapping paper is one of the main ways in which Christmas can be a very wasteful time of year. Obviously the most effective solution would be not to wrap your presents but I’m not quite ready to take this step yet, firstly because I really do love having wrapped presents and, secondly, because I don’t have the energy to explain to every family member why their present isn’t wrapped and have them assume that I’m just lazy!
So, instead I’ve bought one roll of brown wrapping paper (just the one you get in the post office). It’s 100% paper and totally recyclable, plus it only cost me about £3 and it’s about 5x the size of a normal roll of wrapping paper. I actually really like how presents looked wrapped in this. I must admit that I have bought a few rolls of ribbon to ‘jazz it up’ a little bit but I’m hoping to reuse that for next year (I’ll be that person crawling around picking it up off everyone’s presents once they’ve opened them).
Another way in which I’ve made present-wrapping more environmentally friendly is by sticking down paper with Washi tape rather than sellotape. Again, washi tape is 100% recyclable and it looks a lot nicer than sellotape too! Unless you’re going to pull all the sellotape off the recyclable wrapping paper you’re using, it can’t go in the recycling bin anyway, so by using this you can avoid that and still recycle all the wrapping paper you’ve used.
2. Give the Gift of Sustainability
The statistic that only 1% of consumer goods are used 6 months later is one of the most shocking to me! That’s a crazy amount of waste. So, for that person (those people) that you always have no idea what to buy, why not get them something that’s going to improve their climate footprint rather than something that’s going to sit around and eventually go to landfill?
I received a Chilly’s water bottle for Christmas last year and, not only does it look super attractive and is very practical, I’ve probably bought around 500% less plastic water bottles because of it. Other ideas for environmentally friendly gifts include a reusable coffee cup, such as the Keep Cup, bamboo toothbrushes, reusable straws and reusable shopping/tote bags (of which you can get very nice ones, see this Independent article). Some of these I would reserve for people who are actually interested in being more sustainable but things like the Chilly’s bottle and the reusable coffee cup would be great gifts for anyone!
3. Lower Your Consumption of Animal Products
This might be the point where, if you’re a meat-eater, you click off this post now. But wait! I promise I’m not telling you to go vegan tomorrow! Animal agriculture causes 18% of all greenhouse gases and consumption of meat, dairy and eggs is significantly increased over the festive period, probably making this number even higher.
I’m not telling you to switch out your turkey for a nut roast (definitely do so if you want to) but maybe try some vegetarian canapés rather than meat-filled ones? What about switching out some of your milk chocolate for dark every now and then? Little things like this, do make a difference, especially in terms of supply and demand over the Christmas period.
I have a post coming very soon (like, tomorrow) with some tips on how to be vegan during Christmas and lots and lots of examples of the best veggie Christmas food! So even if you’re not vegan or vegetarian, be sure to check that out to see how you could maybe swap out a few animal products for some animal-friendly ones over Christmas!
4. Leftovers
This is one that you’re going to like, I know it. I’m encouraging you to make the most of leftovers! Savour your Christmas dinner for as long as possible! Put it in sandwiches, eat it for breakfast, feed it to your pet. I know from my own experience, and I’m sure you do to, that the amount of food waste over Christmas can be crazy. Everyone panics and stocks up on enough food to last them a month on the days leading up to Christmas and so much of it ends in the bin, which then goes into landfill.
Firstly, try and not buy too much food! But when you inevitably do, make the most of it and eat ALL of the leftovers. Lots of food lasts for days even after it’s been cooked, such as all the vegetables that people avoid on their Christmas Dinner plate. So maybe even research/plan in advance the types of meals you can make with your leftovers, so your boxing day menu is just as good as the Christmas Day one. Also, if we’re talking about planning in advance, clear some space in your freezer so anything that can go in there for a later date instead of in the bin can fit.
5.Avoid Spending All Your Christmas Money on the Boxing Day Sales
There has been a huge increase in awareness of just how bad the fashion industry is for the environment over the past year. Black Friday, the Boxing Day sales and the January sales all fall in this period, causing many people to impulse buy clothes that they’ll only wear once, which will more than likely eventually end up in landfill. So, even though the sales are tempting, try not to buy anything that you wouldn’t already want to buy if it was full price.
It really gets on my nerves when bloggers tell people not too shop the sales, as, for many people, the only time that they can afford to buy clothing they want is when its reduced! So, I’m not saying boycott them. Just really think about the things that you’re buying (almost) as much as you would if they were full price items. Maybe even make a little wish list in the run up to Christmas of things you really like and have thought about, so when these sales do happen you can buy things you actually want rather than shop impulsively.
I hope this post has been helpful and that you’re considering taking some of these steps in order to have a slightly more sustainable Christmas! But, also, don’t feel guilty if you’re not having the most environmentally-friendly Christmas possible- we live in a world that generally has never really cared about the environment so you’re working against the odds in order to live in a way that is careful, especially around Christmas! So just try your best and hopefully, Christmas can become more and more environmentally sustainable every year.
The Importance of Shopping Sustainably and Independently
The Importance of Sustainable and Independent Fashion/Shopping
I've been wanting to write this blog post for a while now and have been really excited about it, hence me posting it in the middle of the week as a bit of a bonus post. The reason for this is the incredible top I am wearing in these photos. I picked it up at a store in the Gracia region of Barcelona, called the 8pm Store, conveniently situated just next to the apartment we were staying in, off my cousins recommendation. The 8pm Store is an independent concept, fashion store, stocking clothes all of which have been designed sustainably in Barcelona as well as an art exhibition. The clothing in the store was so cool and being in the store itself was an amazing experience. Plus, the owner was so friendly, explaining to me more about the idea and logistics behind the store, also gifting me a free postcard from their last exhibition, which was such a nice touch and really made me feel happy for the rest of the day.
This experience got me thinking about why it is so important to support independent fashion. I would never have had an experience like that in a high-street store and because fashion is a really creative thing for me, it's so inspiring to have a shopping experience like I did in The 8pm Store. Another really great shopping experience I had was also on my travels this year back in March when I went to Edinburgh at Armstrongs Vintage. I was also recommended to this shop by a friend, this is definitely the best way to find places to go when travelling from my experience, and it was probably (definitely) the best vintage shop I've ever been to. It was huge and the choice was incredible, from costume dress to the most incredible vintage denim. This is where I picked up the jeans I'm wearing in this photo, they're by YSL and cost me a mere £20. I have pretty much always been looking for the perfect pair of white jeans and these are them. I had to get them taken up, which wasn't expensive, but altering is definitely always worth it as a piece that fits you properly will mean you want to wear it more often and longer.
The Importance of Sustainable and Independent Fashion/Shopping
I realise I've spent the first half of this post gushing over these two shops, they're seriously worth the fangirling though, so I'm going to move on to what this post is actually about, why shopping sustainably and independently is important. We all know the horrors of fast-fashion, from horrendous factory conditions to the colossal environmental effect, so I'm not going to guilt-trip you with any statistics. Especially because I still very much buy clothes from fast fashion retailers, it's the most convenient and affordable way to shop and as much I've tried to avoid it, I just can't at the moment, partly because financial reasons and partly because of selfish ones. So, instead, I'm making a conscious effort to support sustainable and independent shops and brands more often as well.
The most expensive sustainable fashion tends to be the brands who have built themselves on this ethos because it's expensive being ethical in every single way and that's just the way it is. I'm talking about the likes of Reformation and Everlane. The 8pm Store falls into this category of store though and although it's more expensive than your average high-street store, it's still really affordable. The top I'm wearing in this photo, which is handmade and of incredible quality, cost me between €35-40 (I can't remember the exact amount), which is definitely more than I would spend on a piece like this at a high-street store. But I was willing to pay not only for this top that I love, but for the experience of being in the shop and the sustainablity behind the piece. This is something that can be hard to take into account when you put a similar piece from an independent, sustainable designer next to a Topshop piece for a fraction of the piece but I personally think, if you're able to, it's 100% worth supporting the former for the reasons I've just mentioned.
However, most of the time I'm just not able to buy expensive pieces, which often means I resort to the high-street. But another option is something that I love and have found some of my favourite pieces I own from, charity shops. They're so unbelievably cheap AND you're supporting a good cause by buying from them. My favourite pair of jeans cost £2 from a charity shop and the cost per wear is definitely in the minus' now. Although charity shopping can be time consuming, I'll often set out an entire afternoon or morning to go and look around the charity shops, it's so rewarding and can help you save so much money that it's 100% worth it. I know people are sceptical of charity shops but you won't believe the gems you'll find in there and most of the things haven't been worn or have barely been worn so there is no need to worry about that aspect of it. Obviously, as well, it's by far the most sustainable way to shop.
The Importance of Sustainable and Independent Fashion/Shopping
Moving on to the second part of the title of this post, shopping independently. This is something that I am very good at whilst travelling but pretty poor at when at home. At home I'm all too temped to revert to the trusty high street but on holiday, shopping independently is an amazing way to get to know the place you're in. The predominant way that I shop independently at home is through charity shops and vintage shops. Both of the places I am based, Liverpool and Manchester, have a great array of independent clothing stores that don't fall into the categories just mentioned and are a little more expensive but I think it's just getting into the habit and mindset of shopping there.
Nevertheless though, I still try and make an effort to shop independently because, as I mentioned, there's nothing better than having an amazing shopping experience and independent shops definitely offer that more than chains do. Plus, they give a place character. Whenever I go away, whether it's in the UK or abroad, I always try and steer away from what I'm going to call the 'chain area' of the city and venture out to the areas that actually feel like you're in a different place. I'd hate anywhere I live to not have this feel at all and if we don't support these independent businesses then they'll no longer exist.
Here's a list of some of my favourite independent stores, from fashion to all sorts of other things with links to their websites/social media:
The 8pm Store, Barcelona (Fashion/Art)
Armstrongs Vintage, Edinburgh (Fashion)
COW Vintage, Liverpool, Manchester and Various Other Places (Fashion)
Utility, Liverpool (Home/Gifts)
Chapter One, Manchester (Bookstore/Cafe)
Fred Aldous, Manchester (Art/Gifts)
Park St in Bristol has the best independent vintage shops, I can't choose just one from the one time I've visited (Fashion)
I hope you've enjoyed this post and that it's given you some encouragement to head down to your local independent clothing store, or try and shop a little bit more sustainably! You won't regret carving some time out to visit your local charity shops or vintage shops to grab a bargain. Even if you go high-street shopping afterwards, you've probably saved yourself some money by buying something second-hand and you're helping to save the world a little bit at the same time, so it's a win-win. I'd love to hear your favourite independent shops or the best ways, in your opinion, to shop sustainably in the comments or on social media! As mentioned, I'm by no means perfect with this and am not claiming to be so any tips and recommendations are very welcome!
The Importance of Sustainable and Independent Fashion/Shopping
The Importance of Sustainable and Independent Fashion/Shopping
The Importance of Sustainable and Independent Fashion/Shopping
The Importance of Sustainable and Independent Fashion/Shopping
The Importance of Sustainable and Independent Fashion/Shopping
The Importance of Sustainable and Independent Fashion/Shopping
The Importance of Sustainable and Independent Fashion/Shopping
The Importance of Sustainable and Independent Fashion/Shopping
Top- Dreamers Not Allowed
Jeans- Vintage YSL, Armstrongs Vintage
Shoes- Vans
Sunglasses- Mango
Hair Clips- Accesorize
Necklace- Alex Monroe